Today’s CEO leader must not only face, but embrace, a state once feared in some executive circles: vulnerability.

Author Patrick Lencioni, in his recent presentation at the Vistage National Chief Executive Conference, tells us that impactful leaders cannot shy away from embarrassment and making the dumb decisions that can lead to even dumber mistakes. And, according to Lencioni, part of being a vulnerable leader is having a propensity for being transparent with clients, employees and everyone you interact with in your environment.

In the same spirit as Lencioni‘s vulnerability message, we set out to create a video that would highlight the best of our Vistage membership: their courage, strength, compassion and collaborative spirit.

Our mission brought us cross-country to Vistage members Carol Tometsko in Rochester, N.Y., Ken Sigman in Leawood, Kan., and Keith Whittemore in Seattle, Wash., who openly and honestly shared their journeys to forging powerful partnerships.

In his talk Lencioni evoked Samuel Johnson’s words: “People need to be reminded more than they need to be instructed.”

We’re proud to present these inspirational stories, and hope they serve as a reminder of the sheer will, determination and vulnerability of true leaders.

To view a lighter side of the Vistage experience please view this post.

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